On World Health Day, the Universal Reading Foundation reminds us that reading should become an element of health prevention and support for the development of the youngest. Is this what the pediatrics of the future in Poland will look like?
"Prevention is better than cure"
Prevention of disorders – including those in the emotional sphere and social functioning – is today the foundation of medical care for children. A factor that effectively stimulates the harmonious development of a child is reading and talking together from birth.
Invitation of the medical community to systematically recommend to parents
and caregivers reading aloud and talking to a child from the first moments of life is the goal of the program "Book on Prescription. Recipe for Success", implemented by the Universal Reading Foundation. The organizers convince that the topic of reading does not only belong to the area of culture and education, but also, and looking at the topic from the point of view of development - above all - stability, health and well-being.
"Both in Poland and in the world, the largest investments in citizen development begin during the school period, public education is this moment. Meanwhile, the graph of the neuroplasticity of our brains, or their "readiness" for development, shows that we could achieve the greatest developmental effects by supporting families in their "work" with children in the first years after birth. That is why the role of the medical community is virtually irreplaceable – because doctors, midwives and nurses see young parents and are very important authorities for them" - says Maria Deskur, president of the Universal Reading Foundation.
Pediatrics of the future
The long-term goal of the initiative is to develop the habit of reading in families in Poland.
and conversations with children from infancy. Scientific data indicates that they have an important impact on their development – emotional, intellectual and social.
"Modern pediatrics increasingly emphasizes that a child's health is not only about prevention
and treatment of diseases, but also care for their intellectual and emotional development. Supporting the well-being of the youngest requires taking into account these aspects, which play an equally important role. Doctors' recommendations on reading and the "Book on Prescription" initiative are important steps towards a modern approach to pediatrics. The Polish Pediatric Society actively promotes such activities, considering them essential for children's health. It also recommends that doctors pay attention to the importance of reading in the development of the youngest, treating it as an important factor supporting their mental and emotional well-being. The involvement of pediatricians, who take care of young patients on a daily basis, can significantly affect the perception of reading as an investment in the child's health. - emphasizes Prof. Teresa Jackowska, president of the Polish Paediatric Society, which is the patron of the program "A Prescription Book. A Recipe for Success".
The authority of doctors
The aim of the program is not only to invite doctors to recommend reading, but also to provide appropriate support for the medical community to introduce such an intervention during visits. Prescription Books is to deliver books to offices, which are given to patients along with educational materials for parents and guardians.
April 11, 2025 at the National Library The Conference organized by FPC will be devoted to the impact of reading on children's health and development. An international group of experts will present research and experiences related to this. The event can be attended by family doctors, pediatricians, and representatives of other specialties. The training is also recommended for nurses and midwives, as well as teachers and librarians of schools and hospital libraries.
One of the speakers will be professor Paul Wise, a lecturer in pediatrics at the Department of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine and Health Policy at Stanford University, author of numerous publications on children's health and social development, and co-creator of research programs on preventive healthcare for the youngest. Professor Wise will discuss the shape of health policy in the context of pediatric care. Experts will also include: Prof. Barry Zuckerman (Boston Medical Center), Prof. Maryanne Wolf (UCLA), Prof. Ewa Haman (University of Warsaw), Monika Działowska, MD (medical blog @pediatranazdrowie). Detailed agenda available at: https://www.ksiazkanarecepte.pl/szkolenie/
"In my medical practice, I have been encouraging parents to read to their children for several years now. The real impact of reading aloud on the health of young patients at an early stage of development is confirmed by research in pediatrics, psychology, neurology and psycholinguistics, but when we start doing it ourselves, we see the effects with our own eyes. The introduction of reading "on prescription" is possible in Polish offices. It requires less time than you might think. I invite you to the conference and the accompanying workshops, which will show how and why to do it." - emphasizes Magdalena Ossolińska, MD, pediatrician, substantive director of the program Book on Prescription, which has been recommending reading during visits since 2019
in the hospital and in the clinic.
Reading concerns us all
Including reading as an element of health prevention is an investment in the future of citizens, which is why it arouses the interest of decision-makers. Achieving real change today by supporting the well-being of patients, but also a long-term goal - supporting competences and life chances, developing the full potential of individuals, which is stimulated by regular reading and the habit of reading for pleasure - are strong motivators to invest in the promotion of reading. Zabrze has been working on reading in the health department, not just culture, since 2023. In the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, such a strategy is being introduced by the decision of the voivodeship marshal.
"Cooperation to promote reading is important and requires moving away from conventional thinking about its role in our lives. "Book on Prescription" includes an unconventional - although only seemingly - environment in inviting to the world of books. Importantly, it uses the power of authority, shows the real impact of reading, but also highlights the reason why we should invest in the promotion of reading." - emphasizes Joanna Piekarska, from the National Library, the host and co-organizer of this year’s training and workshops.
The conference which is part of the programme will be held April 11 at the National Library
in Warsaw. Participation in it is free, certified with OIL educational points.
Program details Book on Prescription: https://www.ksiazkanarecepte.pl/
Program organizer: The Foundation for Universal Reading, National Library
Program partners: Polish Pediatric Society, District Medical Chamber
in Warsaw, Practical Medicine, Medelight, PZWL Medical Publishing House, Puls Monthly OIL in Warsaw, National Center for Culture, NPRCZ2.0, Book Institute
The conference and workshops “Book on Prescription” were co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund.
